About DMR
(Scroll Down for History)
DMR Statistics
Below is a table of the principal statistics of the Dragon Miniature Railway.
Gauge
| Length
| First Opened
| No. of
locomotives
| No. of coaches
| No. of wagons
|
7.25 inches
| 1/2 mile
| 1999
| 9 (4 petrol, 5 steam)
| 12
| 4
|
No. of stations
| Features
| Opening Times
| Fares
|
2
| Tunnel, bridge, picnic area, engine sheds, sopt the toys section
| Weekends, daily during school holidays
| 70p; £5.50 for 10 rides
|
Our Merry Band of Men (and Women)
The railway is owned and operated by Brian Lomas and his family and friends. We are a group of like-minded volunteers from all walks of life who enjoy railways. We are all of differing ages and abilities, and our main objective is to enjoy our hobby with others who come and see us and ride on our trains.
Please take time on your visit to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the railway; we work hard to make it as realistic as possible for the public's enjoyment. The locomotive and rolling stock sheds are always open for viewing (though please ask first) and our staff are always happy to help and answer any questions you may have.
We are always looking out for more volunteers to help take fares, mind the shop, guard, drive, and generally help out with infrastructure and maintenance. The DMR is lucky in having a strong following of young volunteers, who are being taught in skills which are increasingly difficult to obtain. All of our staff are loyal to the railway and take pride in its operation, and hence a family-like community has built up between the staff, as well as regular passengers who we see on a regular basis.
If you think you would like to contribute to the running of the railway and join our group, please Contact Us about volunteering at the Dragon Miniature Railway.
Where it all started
Though the Dragon Miniature Railway only opened in 1999, it's origins go back a further 17 years.
In
1982, Brian Lomas started construction of what was to become his main
hobby; miniature railway locomotives. The result appeared the follwing year at the Bents Miniature Railway near Warrington inthe form of a petrol-hydraulic locomotive,
Andrew, based on the Baby Deltic's constructed by British Railways
during the early 1960's. A move was made from there to Brookside Miniature Railway in Poynton in 1988, where many years of happy, though hard, work
followed. Andrew was joined by Class 47 "Brookside" in 1992, and "Western Champion" in 1993. A fiurther Class 47 locomotive was built for Brookside in 1998. Brian has currently built 5 of these since the introduction of "Brookside" in 1992, for a number of
operators.
The First Few Years
In 1999,
Brian decided he'd had enough of Brookside, and along with several
other Brookside volunteers, started construction of the Dragon
Miniature Railway at the Wyevale Garden Centre in Marple during winter
1998. The line was officially opened by the mayor of Marple in May
1999, initially as a 1/4 mile balloon loop running south from Wyevale
Junction. Motive power at this time was Flying Dragon, Western
Champion, and the two ex-Brookside steam locos Princess and Lady
Pauline (Lady P. for short).
During 2001 a further 1/4 mile
balloon loop extension at the top end of the site was opened, allowing
trains to travel in a dumb-bell circuit for 1/2 a mile, across a
bridge, through a tunnel and wooded area and past the workshops and
running sheds. Further additions have been made to the locomotive stud
and rolling stock list over the years. Developments were also made to
the station area, which now includes a waiting room/shop and canopy.
Landscaping was carried out along the embankment, and around the
station to make it more pleasing to look at.
The Railway Continues Growing... ...
Santa made
his first visit to the railway in 2005, and since then there has been a
second programme of major expansion on the railway. 2006 was a major
year in our development; two coaches and a locomotive were restored to
working order, while a picnic area was developed and used for the first
time during the August Bank Holiday, using the second station and passing loop to allow access to this feature. This is seasonal and will re-open every year between Easter and October. Since then a Drive-Your-Own Tram has been built, along with further developments in rolling stock and infrastructure.
The railway is always progressing, meaning that there will always be something new to see on your next visit!
More recent occurances will be posted on the News page as and when they occur or are discovered!